Task 1: Founding Ideologies in American Politics and the US Constitution
Competencies
1021.1.1 : The Development of Constitutional Democracy 1021.1.2 :
Structure of the United States Government
The graduate explains how the structure and powers of the United States government interact to form
public policy.
Introduction
In this task, you will explain the ideas and arguments that influenced constitutional development. By
completing the task, you will examine the powers and structures of the United States government and
demonstrate an understanding of the separation of powers and checks and balances.
Requirements
A. Explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the founding of the United States. Include two
specific examples from two of the following documents:
• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights
Answer & explanation
1) Declaration of Independence (1776) — Natural rights and consent of the governed
• Enlightenment idea: Locke’s natural rights and social contract.
• Textual evidence: “all men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness… That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed.”
• Explanation: Jefferson translates Locke’s triad (life, liberty, property) into “life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness,” asserting that government’s legitimacy rests on consent. The Declaration
also asserts a right of revolution when government becomes destructive of these ends—directly
echoing Locke’s social contract theory.
2) Constitution (1787) — Separation of powers and checks
• Enlightenment idea: Montesquieu’s separation of powers.
• Textual evidence: Articles I–III divide power among the legislative (Congress), executive
(President), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches; for example, Article I vests “All legislative
Powers” in Congress, Article II vests the executive power in the President, and Article III vests
the judicial power in the Supreme Court and inferior courts.
• Explanation: By structurally separating powers, the Constitution implements Montesquieu’s
model to prevent concentration of authority. The design is reinforced by checks (e.g., the Article
I, Section 7 presentment clause giving the President a veto and Congress the power to override),
ensuring no single branch dominates.
Competencies
1021.1.1 : The Development of Constitutional Democracy 1021.1.2 :
Structure of the United States Government
The graduate explains how the structure and powers of the United States government interact to form
public policy.
Introduction
In this task, you will explain the ideas and arguments that influenced constitutional development. By
completing the task, you will examine the powers and structures of the United States government and
demonstrate an understanding of the separation of powers and checks and balances.
Requirements
A. Explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the founding of the United States. Include two
specific examples from two of the following documents:
• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights
Answer & explanation
1) Declaration of Independence (1776) — Natural rights and consent of the governed
• Enlightenment idea: Locke’s natural rights and social contract.
• Textual evidence: “all men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness… That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed.”
• Explanation: Jefferson translates Locke’s triad (life, liberty, property) into “life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness,” asserting that government’s legitimacy rests on consent. The Declaration
also asserts a right of revolution when government becomes destructive of these ends—directly
echoing Locke’s social contract theory.
2) Constitution (1787) — Separation of powers and checks
• Enlightenment idea: Montesquieu’s separation of powers.
• Textual evidence: Articles I–III divide power among the legislative (Congress), executive
(President), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches; for example, Article I vests “All legislative
Powers” in Congress, Article II vests the executive power in the President, and Article III vests
the judicial power in the Supreme Court and inferior courts.
• Explanation: By structurally separating powers, the Constitution implements Montesquieu’s
model to prevent concentration of authority. The design is reinforced by checks (e.g., the Article
I, Section 7 presentment clause giving the President a veto and Congress the power to override),
ensuring no single branch dominates.
